Let Your Anger out Here

[Sox fan in Tex]

Actually, "vent the decisions we have made" should probably be the title. Here's the deal... Millar and Bellhorn are hitting .231 and .233 respectively. Pathetic! Youk is hitting .353 with an OBP of .463, and we don't need to put up Hanley's stats. Millar doesn't even deserve to backup Youk at first.

 

Now, damnit, I know that the management has faith in these guys, but when Millar goes into these slumps he's in them for a while (eventually he gets out of it, but do we want to wait until July) and I'll take Hanley over Blowhorn's 51 K's.

 

As far as pitching goes, I'll give Wells two more starts to improve and get back to where he should be... if he doesn't figure something out take him out of the rotation. I believe in Jeremi or whoever else we want to take his spot.

 

The fact is, neither I or any of you want to go through this 3 month .500 crap this year. Plain and simple, it sucks. 11 men were left on tonight I believe along with the 1-6 batters going 1-for-24. Make the right moves, Francona, do what's best for the team.

[truth2034]

Youk needs to be put into the next level and someone has to be put aside and it should be some of millars time.

As far as Wells goes, what are we going to do when schilling gets back. Someone has to go to the pen or be released and with the way arroyo has been playing, aside from tonight, i don't see him being put in middle relief.

I really wana see what hanley is capable of and i think bellhorne should pay the sacrifice there.

Also i wana see manny hit like a 20mm number 4 hitter. I guess the brightside is Wade isnt hurt yet and the Yanks started out bad and we have a chance to get some games back this weekend.

[yeszir]

I'm frustrated, yes, but we're not yankee fans, and we're not about to give up on our team.

[Sox fan in Tex]

You're right yeszir...I'm just trying to figure out what we need to do. No TRUE Red Sox fan will ever give up on this team.

[truth2034]

they will turn it around. It is just frustrating watching it sometimes. You come home from work all day and you wana see the box score be in your favor. I know its odd but the Sox are my out on some days. Cant win them all though.

[Zenny]

I still hate the Renteria signing.

[mosox]

I think it's remarkable the Sox are still ahead of NY considering no Schilling, poor Wells, erractic Foulke, broken down Embree, no Millar bat, Mueller slumping, Manny distracted, and Edgarrrrrgh!!

[soxie thefangirl]

I think worse than Millar / Bellhorn is the fact that guys like Manny / Ortiz can't hit the ball right.

 

but I would never give up on this team either.

[pepper03]

They can't pitch, hit, play defense or run. Other than that, they are doing fine.

 

The good part of all this is that in spite of just about everybody playing terrible, they are still right in the thick of things. However, they need to turn it around soon or else!

 

If I was the manager I would...

 

Bench Millar permanently-he is awful in the field and at the plate.

 

Youk would be in the lineup every day.

 

Put Nixon back batting second, and never let him start against left-handers.

 

The Sox have the 12th worst ERA in the AL, and unless Schilling can come back and be effective, I just don't see them being able to win this year-because the bottom line is if we don't have the pitching, we're not going to win anything.

 

I think we have to live with Bellhorn, I just don't see another option at second right now.

 

Our biggest problem right now is that our $20 million dollar star is not hitting, not that Bellhorn strikes out.

 

We can do something at first base with Olerud coming up, but who says he is going to be able to hit.

 

Right now, they just have to keep their heads above water and hope they can hang on until they get straightened out.

[elsrbueno]

I don't know how others feel about this, but that *other* team that was struggling through April shook things up and got soon after that. Could be a coincidence, could be new blood gave them a spark.

 

The only shakups I see as possibilities are as follows:

 

Bench Millar and play Youk -- Youk's been decent at defense and good at the plate, and like Francona said, he's only going to get better with the glove. Some say Youk can't keep hitting if he plays every day, but I say give him a shot. The way Millar's playing, what have they got to lose?

 

Bench Millar and bring up Olerud -- solid defense, and a decent line drive hitter. Again, he can't be worse than Millar, can he?

 

---------- Other Thoughts --------------------------------

 

I've been one of Bellhorn's biggest supporters when everyone bitches about the strikeouts, but this is getting rediculous. With the bases loaded and less than 2 out just about anything BUT a strikeout gets the runs home, and it seems like Mark gets up with the bases loaded a lot. I'm intreagued by the idea of Hanley Ramirez at second, but he's been playing at AA Portland and still strikes out twice as often as when he draws a walk. I think Dustin Pedroia is much more advanced as a hitter and will hit the big leagues before Hanley does. Other than either of these two guys, what choice do the Sox have at second base? Bill Mueller fills the job admirably, but is he a real solution there? I don't think so. Machado's hitting .291 with 9 SBs in AAA, but he too strikes out a lot. Short of going outside the organization, I don't see a definite solution here.

[BoSox Rule]

Hanley Ramirez and Mark Bellhorn have nothing to do with eachother. Seriously, Hanley hasn't even gotten to AAA yet.

 

By the way, is Hanley due for a hot streak or what? He has a .290 BA with a .348 OBP and just 1 HR.

[soxie thefangirl]

Bellhorn isn't the problem. the problem is the fact that our big hitters are striking out. Bellhorn really isn't a surprise and he's playing good defense.

 

I'm getting a tad annoyed that Ortiz was 0 for 4. Manny was 0 for 4. Damon was 0 for 4. THESE are the guys that we rely on and they're not doing a single thing. and I'm sick of hearing it's only May and Manny will get hot.

 

Bill can't play 2nd because of his knee. I wish that everyone would quit thinking / saying that Youk at 3rd and Mueller at 2nd is the IDEAL situation. seriously. it's not.

[Sizzlin22]

I think we should move Trot up to the 2 hole stick Rent in the 9 until he starts hitting.

[CrespoBlows]

I agree Youkillis should start, but what other option do the Sox have? They can't sit Bellhorn, Mueller would be a MAJOR defensive liabilty at 2B. Pedroia isn't ready, nor is Hanley. Other than a trade, the Sox should just wait for Pedoria. And remember Bellhorn is a 9 hitter not a cleanup hitter.

[soxie thefangirl]

Rent should be in 9 spot. he's always done a better job there in his career. Bellhorn always did a better job in the spot.

 

we better win tonight...

[Sox fan in Tex]

The difference between Manny and Ortiz struggling compared to Bellhorn and Millar is that we know Man-Ram/Papi will get back on track, but who knows with Bellhorn & Millar.

 

The main question: Are Kevin Millar and Mark Bellhorn the 1st and 2nd basemen of the future? It's doubtful that they are. Put Youk in, move Hanley up to AAA or the Majors so he can continue to get more experience.

[soxie thefangirl]

I doubt Millar is but I don't doubt Bellhorn being back for one more year. and that's not just my love for him talking haha.

 

and I'm sick and tired of hearing that Manny is gonna heat up 'cause he should've done so by now. and I get more disappointed in someone making as much money as him, with his career numbers not being up to par.

 

Bellhorn's numbers aren't that far below what's expected for him. Millar is a whole other story though.

[Zenny]

Pedroia is more ready than Hanley, as previously stated. He's proven he can mash AA pitching. Give him the bump to AAA and let's see what he can do there. If he continues to rake at the ~.350/.450/.500 career line that he has, trade Bellhorn on July 31 and start the kid. Of course, this is assuming that Bellhorn reverts to 2003 and Pedroia is outstandingly excellent. I don't see it happening, but it is the most likely option.

 

Youkilis over Millar should also be fazed in. It'll give the kid more playing time, because he will be starting for this team in some capacity in '06 and maybe it forces Millar to start hitting. It's a win-win situation.

[elsrbueno]

Pedroia is more ready than Hanley, as previously stated. He's proven he can mash AA pitching. Give him the bump to AAA and let's see what he can do there. If he continues to rake at the ~.350/.450/.500 career line that he has, trade Bellhorn on July 31 and start the kid. Of course, this is assuming that Bellhorn reverts to 2003 and Pedroia is outstandingly excellent. I don't see it happening, but it is the most likely option.

 

Youkilis over Millar should also be fazed in. It'll give the kid more playing time, because he will be starting for this team in some capacity in '06 and maybe it forces Millar to start hitting. It's a win-win situation.

 

Finally someone who agrees with me exactly.

 

Pedroia is hitting for higher average, more power, showing better DISCIPLINE than Hanley and really is more ready. I say push the kid and see what he's made of.

 

Bellhorn's struggles are easier to stomach because he plays second base and frankly less is expected offensively from that position, but Millar just makes me sick. He can't hit, he can't field, he can't run, and he can't throw. I know that he started cold last year and heated up, and that he's capable of getting hot, but when it all shakes out, he's still a below average offensive player with below average defensive skills. The Red Sox need a better run producer at first base:

 

I have to point out that on the ONE day Millar sat out, his replacement got a key hit AND made a great defensive play. Kevin Youkilis has done everything to prove he deserves more playing time. Millar has done everything to prove he deserves a job at the concessions stand. It's obvious that the Sox' organization views him highly and sees him as a key positional player in the future, and I see no reason why his future as an everyday player for the Sox can't start TONIGHT.

 

Another thought-- why can't Keith Foulke work out his mechanics issues in the minor leagues? He can get more work there (which he likes) and he isn't costing the big league squad games in the process.

[truth2034]

The thing about Trot is that you cant consistantly have him hitting 2. He cant hit the lefty. I think things will turn around once we get more home games. We have such a loaded away schedule the first half and these next few weeks we play some tough teams. And you know Theo will fix up some kind of trade before the deadline to help. But if we dont have it turned around by then, then there is no use.

[soxie thefangirl]

Foulke was fine last night.

 

I give him time. just because I think it's the personal issues getting to him.

[CrespoBlows]

Pedroia is more ready than Hanley, as previously stated. He's proven he can mash AA pitching. Give him the bump to AAA and let's see what he can do there. If he continues to rake at the ~.350/.450/.500 career line that he has, trade Bellhorn on July 31 and start the kid. Of course, this is assuming that Bellhorn reverts to 2003 and Pedroia is outstandingly excellent. I don't see it happening, but it is the most likely option.

 

Youkilis over Millar should also be fazed in. It'll give the kid more playing time, because he will be starting for this team in some capacity in '06 and maybe it forces Millar to start hitting. It's a win-win situation.

 

Pedoria probably needs 'till 2006, but he probaby would do a good job adjusting. The kid has David Eckstein's heart, but a ton more talent.

 

But to do that, what team would take a shot at Bellhorn? A logical choice would be the Rockies, I think even Bellhorn would hit there.

[Sizzlin22]

I doubt Millar is but I don't doubt Bellhorn being back for one more year. and that's not just my love for him talking haha.

 

and I'm sick and tired of hearing that Manny is gonna heat up 'cause he should've done so by now. and I get more disappointed in someone making as much money as him, with his career numbers not being up to par.

 

Bellhorn's numbers aren't that far below what's expected for him. Millar is a whole other story though.

Manny was the World Series MVP that man has a free pass for the next 5 years as far as I'm concerned.

[truth2034]

But do we really wana give our number 4 hitter a free pass?

[soxie thefangirl]

not me. he makes too much money to be getting a free pass.

[sarasoxfan]

no one gets a free pass.

[Sizzlin22]

The 2004 Red Sox don't get a free pass? They ended the freakin curse!

[DOrtiz4prez]

The 2004 Red Sox don't get a free pass? They ended the freakin curse!

 

Depends JUST how bad they are doing. Manny isn't doing THAT bad, so he's still in my free pass zone for now. Renteria wasn't part of the team last year but I saw what he did for the Cards so I'm pretty disappointed.

 

And on venting my anger:

SOMEONE SHOOT ME

[Sizzlin22]

Exactly I'm fine if Manny struggles what ever it happens Renteria comes in for 40 Million and stinks it up then there's a problem.

[soxie thefangirl]

Edgar is 3 for 3 tonight. Manny is hitless.